selective thinking

Selective thinking is the process whereby one selects out favorable evidence for
remembrance and focus, while ignoring unfavorable evidence for a belief. This kind of
thinking is the basis for most beliefs in the psychic powers of
so-called mind readers and
mediums. It is also the basis for many, if not
most, occult and pseudoscientific
beliefs.

It should be noted that selective thinking works independently of wishful thinking and should not be confused with biased thinking, whereby one seriously considers
data contrary to one's belief, but one is much more critical of such data than one is of
supportive data.